Pressing machine



Sept 10, 1935. A. F. HANNEY 5 I PRESSING MACHINE med Aug 24, 1935 '2 Sheets- Sheet 1 INVENTOR a Q V fin u: I." flea/ray ATTORN .5

p 1935. A.. F. HANNEY' PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1933 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 45 machines in the series.

Patented Sept. 10, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,013,754 ranssmo MACHINE Angus F. Hanney, Norwoo :1, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 24, 1933, Serial No. 686,563

9 Claims. (c1. 68-9) This invention relates to a timing device for machines where an operation is to be maintained for a predetermined time and then automatically released.

An object of the invention is to provide simple mechanism for maintaining for a given length of time a power application such as the final pressure between the coacting members of a press, and for thereafter automatically releasing .the

- Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art from thefollowing specification and description of the drawings and the essential features of which are summarized 15 in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation somewhat diagrammatic. in form showing the timing mechanism applied to a laundry press; Fig. 2 is a partial section along thelines 2-2, of Fig. 1; go Fig. 3 is a partial elevation of the release mechanism of Fig. 1; while Figs. 4 and 5 are two views of; the timing device in a slightly modified form as applied to a press operated by one cylinder in cpntradistinction to' the press of Fig: 1 which is 25 operable by two cylinders. I

" While mytiming mechanism might be applied toany machine where power is to be applied for a pre-determinedtime interval and then released, I have chosen to illustrate the device ap- 80 plied to a, press such as is adapted for use in garment or laundry work. A plurality of such presses is commonly operated in tandem or in series, in which case one press is actuated in .a

press-opening direction when another machine 35 is actuated in press-closing direction. Such operation has various disadvantages. For instance, arranging the lay of the work on one press may take longer than the pressing operation on another/ press, under which circumstances the 40 closed press should be opened before the other press is ready for closing. Also, if there are more than two presses in series it may be desirable to open one press at a certain time after its closing, irrespective of what may be happening at other Again, various articles require different pressing times and my device permits an adjustment of the time interval during which the press remains closed so that it may be-adapted to a variety of work.

. 50 My device is illustrated in connection with a press having power means for closing the press and'release means-for causing opening of the press, although it might be used with a manually closed press. 55 control by a movable abutment having a pre-de- The release means is subject to' termined pressure against one face and having its opposite face subjected to a fluid pressure which is gradually-built up until it overcomes 'the first named pressure and causes actuation of the release means. In the present embodiment, the fluid pressure is conducted to a container or pressure reservoir which communicates with a face of the movable abutment, and the flow of fluid pressure into the container is regulated by means of a pressure regulator and a restricting valve so that the time required to build up a fluid pressure in the container suflicient to move the abutment may be varied within a wide range.

' Preferably also, fluid pressure is admitted to the container or pressure reservoir at the same time Therefore, only sufiicient description will be given of the press and its control mechanism to per-.

mit' an understanding of my improved timing device.

The press comprises aframe 10 supporting a fixed head H and a bed l2 movable into and out 0 of registration with the head. The structure which permits this registering movement of the bed comprises a bed-supporting carriage l3 hav-' ing rollers 14 which travel upon rails l5 mounted on the press frame. The power means illustrated as v for causing the registering movement comprises a fluid motor having a cylinder iii, a piston l1 and a piston rod l8, which is connected to'the bed by means of link l9, cranks 20 and 2|, rigid with and pivoting about shaft 22, and link- 23 40 connected to the bed carriage. Movement of the piston i1 forwardly or to the right as seen in Fig. '1", causes movement of bed I2 into registration with the head ll. When thepressure in cylinder I6 is relieved, a spring 24, through a suitable connection with shaft 22, returns the bed to its forward or open position. Final pressure is applied between the pressing members, after they reach registering position, by a second fluid motor having a cylinder 25, a piston 26 and a piston rod 21 adapted to move upwardly and contact a stem 28 downwardly extending from the bed I 2 through a bearing in the carriage IS. The piston rod 21 contacts the stem 28 when the parts are in registration and raises the bed against the head. Upon release of pressure beneath piston 26 the bed and its associated parts move downward due to their weight.

The control mechanism for the supply of fluid 5 power to cylinder l6 comprises a combined inlet and exhaust conduit 23 connected by inlet valve 36 and conduit 3| to the main pressure supply conduit 32, and connected by means of exhaust valve 33 and conduit 34 to the atmosphere. These inlet and exhaust valves are actuated by a cam 35 mounted on a shaft 36 provided with a control handle 31 in a position accessible to the operator.

In the position shown in Fig. 1, valve 36 is closed and valve 33 is opened to the atmosphere while the press members remain in their open position.

Movement of the cam 35 downwardly by actuation of the control handle reverses the position of valves 36 and 33, thus closing the exhaust conduit 34 and admitting fluid pressure through conduit 3| and valve so to conduit 29 and cylinder l6. The bed thereupon moves into registration beneath the head. Upon the parts reaching registering position the follower 33' on an interlock arm 39 enters a notch 46 in cam 4| mounted on the bed carriage, impelled by spring 42 acting through suitable linkage. This interlock arm is connected by link 43, bell crank 44, 45, bell crank 46, and link 41 with lever'46 which operates the valves controlling the flow and exhaust of fluid pressure to and from cylinder 25. Inlet valve 46 admits fluid pressure through conduit 56 to a combined inlet and exhaust conduit 5| leading to cylinder 25. Exhaust valve 52 in turn is adapted to connect conduit 5| with exhaust v conduit 53 leading to the atmosphere. An inspection of Fig. 1 shows that movement of follower 36 into cam notch 48 moves bell cranks 44 and 46 in a clockwise direction and moves lever 48 in a direction to close valve 52 and open valve 49 thus admitting fluid pressure beneath piston 26,

; which will raise the bed against the head for the pressing operation.

For releasing the power at the close of the pressing operation fluid pressure actuated release cylinder 54 is provided having a piston rod 55 adapted to move a release lever 56 which has con/- nections for moving the valves of the two motors in a press opening direction. For actuating the valves controlling motor l6, shaft 36 is provided at its inner end with a flanged collar 51 which,

in its operated position, is shown in broken lines at 56 of Fig. 3. The lever 56 is adapted to contact the flanged collar and return it to its full line position in Fig. 3, thus closing valve 30 and opening valve 33 to relieve the pressure in cylinder l6.

A second connection of the release mechanism is adapted to reverse the valves 01' motor 25. This comprises an arm 59 rigid with lever 56 which carries a pin 66 having a lost motion connection 60 in slot 6| of the linkage assembly45. When bell cranks 44 and 46 move in a clockwise direction,

link 45 moves upward without any effect on lever arm 53 but with the result that pin 60 lies adjacent the lower end of slot 6|. Actuation of the release piston rod 55 against lever 56 causes arm 56 to move downwardly, moving linkage assembly 45 in the same direction, thus causing counterclockwise movement of hell crank 46, and through link 41 and lever 48 closing valve 49 and opening 7 through valve 62 adapted to admit fluid pressure through conduit 63 from the main supply line, which will then flow through conduit 64 to the release cylinder. The structure shown for actuating the release valve 62, comprises a push rod 65 adapted to contact the stem of valve 63, and in 5 turn actuated by a finger guard 66 depending before the head in a freely swingable manner and adapted to be actuated by the operator's flngers it they are accidently lying upon the bed as it moves toward registering position. 1 My improved timing mechanism, for opening the press automatically, comprises a second control valve 61 for the release mechanism. This valve is normally maintained closed by spring 66 and is adapted when open to admit pressure from 15 conduit 69 to conduit 16, which leads to the release cylinder 54 through a check valve II which permits flow of fluid pressure only in the direction indicated by the arrow. Valve 61 is arranged to be operated by a movable abutment 12 which, in 20 Fig. 1, comprises a diaphragm in a suitable casing 13 and having a plunger 14 adapted to contact the stem 15 of valve 61. Pressure for actuating the diaphragm I2 accumulates in a container or pressure reservoir 16 which receives its supply of fluid 25 pressure through conduit 11, pressure regulator 16, and an adjustable restricting valve 19. The pressure regulator 18 is of the type which maintains a constant pressure on the outlet side thereoi in spite of varying pressures on its inlet side. -30 A check valve 86 permits flow only in the direction shown by the arrow and this will occur, of course, only when the pressure in container I6 is greater than the pressure on the upper side of I said check valve 60. 35

Fluid pressure is admitted to conduits 66 and T! in a definite timed relation to the application of power to close the press; Preferably such pressure is admitted simultaneously with the application of fluid pressure beneath piston 26, and this is accomplished by a conduit 8| establishing communication between cylinder 25 and conduits l1 and 69, although conduit 69 might be connected to some other source. Thus, when pressure is applied to create final pressure between 45 the pressing members, the fluid flows through conduit 8| and conduit 66 to valve 61, butis unable to pass said valve as it is yet in its closed position. At the same time, fluid flows through conduit 11, through pressure regulator 16, and valve 19 to 5 container 16. This flow may be regulated by the pressure regulator and the valve 19, so as to control the time required to build up sufficient pressure in container 16 to actuate diaphragm I2 in I a direction to open valve 61. Upon pressure 55 building up to a point suflicient to overcome spring 68, fluid flows from conduit 69 through valve 61, conduit I6 and check valve H to release cylinder 54, thus opening the press regardless of the presence of the operator. When the press is 60 opened and pressure is relieved beneath piston 26, pressure is also relieved in conduit 8|, which permits check valve 80 to open, thus evacuating container I6 preparatory to the next cycle of operation. 6

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of timing device as applied to a press which is operable entirely by one fluid motor in place of the two motors illustrated in Fig. 1. Similar parts are similarly numbered 70 with the characters having the suflix a, and only sufllcient description will be given to permit an understanding of the operation of this press.

The piston rod 21a of motor 25a is provided with a saddle 62 having a pivoted connection with arm as, which in turn is pivoted to the frame at 84. The forward end of this arm is moved downwardly by movement of the piston rod 21a and its associated saddle 82 in an upward direction. Arm 83 presses downwardly on follower 84a, which is carried by an arm 85 which is pivoted to the frame at 83 and which has a link 81 connecting it with the carriage l3a for causing the registering movement of the bed In. The pressing members are shown in open position in Fig; 4- and in closed position in Fig. 5. In the latter case. the arm 83 has moved downward and the forward arcuate face 88 of arm 83 holds arm 85 in the position shown in Fig. 5 with the bed in registration with the head.

It will be understood that the first part of the movement of piston 26a and its associated piston rod and saddle causes movement of the bed into registering position, and thereafter further movement of piston rod 21a contacts stem 28a and lifts the bed to apply final pressure between the pressing members. Upon release of the pressure henea-th piston 26a, the bed and associated parts a move downward due to their weight and spring 89 returns thebed to its forward or open position. Arm 98 is pivoted to the frame at 9! and i v is pressed forward by compression spring 92 so that notch 93 engages follower 84 when the press is in its open position. thus holding the bed firmly in that position. The control valves 33a, 30a, are actuated by control handle 31a in a similar manner to similarly marked valves of Fig. 1,

except that they control the flow of fluid pressure through conduit 29a to motor 25a which is the only motor necessary to operate the press of Figs. 4 and 5. 'In'a similar manner release control valve 620. admits fluid pressure to release mechanism 541: which moves lever 5611. into 'con-' tact with flanged collar 51;: to return the control valves to press-opening position.

The timing device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a container 18a to which pressure is admitted from cylinder 25a through conduits Ma and Ila, and regulating valve 191:. in a similar manner to that described in connection with Fig. 1. In this case, however, valve 61a is actuated by a piston 94 which is subjected to the-fluid pressure in container 180. and is adapted to move the stem 95 of valve 61a in valve-opening direction when suflicient pressure has built up in container 16a to overcome spring 68a. Thereupon fluid pressure flows through conduits 8hr, 65a, valve'fla,

conduit Illa and check valve Ila to release mechanism 540., thus operating the releasing mechanism which reverses the control valves, causing the press to return to its open position as previously described. v

By adjustment of the pressure regulator 18 and the restricting valve 18 (or 1911), I find that the...

flow of fluid pressure to container Ii may be varied within very wide limits, so that the open ing of the press may be timed at a longer or shorter interval after the closing operation as required by the character of'the work.

It'will thus be apparent that'I have provided a timing mechanism which is very simple in operation, and which requires very few parts, and those parts are suchthat they do not easily get out of working order. I

It is also apparent that when the power means for closing thepress is a fluid motor such as motor 25' or 25a, the automatic initiation of the timing operation is extremely simple as the ad-- mission of fluid pressure to the operating motor 25 or fimautomatically admits ,ducing direction.

conduit a: or m to the timing mechanism and starts the running of the time interval which is necessary to build up pressurein the pressure reservoir.

What I claim is: I 1. In a pressing machine,a fixed'press'ing member, a coacting pressing member movable laterally into and out of registration with said flxed member and into and out of pressing engagement therewith, fluid actuated power means for 10 moving said movable member, conduit means controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from said power means and including an inlet valve and an outlet valve, an oscillatable shaft having cams thereon adapted to actuate said valves so 15 that when either one is closed the other is open,

a manual for moving said shaft in into-registration and into-engagement producing direction,

fluid actuated timing means having a conduit connection with said. conduit means whereby said 20 timing means is supplied with fluid simultane ously with the supply to said power means,and an operative connection between. said timing -means and said vshaftfor moving the latter in out-of-engagement, and out-'of-regl'stration producing direction when said timing means has completed its operation.

'2. In a pressing machine, a fixedpressing member, a coacting pressing member'movable .laterally .into and out-of registration with said fixed member and into and outof pressing engagement therewith, fluidactuated power means for moving said movable member, conduit means conated timing means having a conduit connection with .said. conduit means whereby said timing means issupplied with fluid simultaneously with the supply to" saidpower means, and an operative connection between said timing means and said pilot valve for opening the latter when said 5 timing means has completed its operation.

3. A pressing machine as in claim 2, and including manually operable means independent out of-registration-produclng direction.

4. Apressing machine as in claim 2, and in-. cluding a finger guard located adjacent the path of travel of said bed into registration, said guard having an operative connection with said shaft for moving "the latter in out-of-registration proinclaim2,andin- '5. A pressing-machine as cluding1a second'manual having an operative of said timing means for moving said shaft in connection for opening said pilot valve independ-v $5 ently of'saidtiming means."

6. In a pressing machine. a fixed pressing member, a coacting pressing-member movable laterally into and out of registration with said fixed member and into and out of pressing enfor moving said movable member, conduit means controlling the flow of, motive fluid to and from said power means and including an inlet valve and an outlet valve, an actuator having p tive connections for said valves so that when 75 'gagement therewith, fluid actuated power means either one is closed the other is open, a manual for moving said actuator in into-registration and into-engagement producing direction, a fluid actuated release motor for moving said actuator in out-ot-engagement and out-of-registration producing direction, fluid supply means for said release motor including a pilot valve, fluid actuated timing means having a conduit connection with said conduit means whereby said timing means is supplied with, fluid simultaneously with the supply to said power means, and an operative connection between said timing means and said pilot valve for opening the latter when said timing means has completed its operation.

'7. In a pressing machine, a fixed pressing member, a coacting pressing member movable laterally into and out of registration with said fixed member and movable into and out of pressing engagement therewith, a first fluid motor for causing said registering movement, a second fluid motor for causing said engagement movement, conduit means including an inlet and outlet valve for controlling the supply of motive fluid for operating each motor, first-and second actuators for the valves for the respective motors,

each actuator being arranged to open either of its associated valves when the other valve is closed, a manual for moving said first actuator in intoregistration-producing direction, means actuated by'movement of said movable member into registry for moving said second actuator in into-engagement producing direction, fluid actuated timing means having a conduit connection with said conduit means whereby said timing means is supplied with fluid simultaneously with the supply to said second motor, and an operative connection between said timing means and both of said actuators for moving the latter respec- 5 tively in out-of-engagement and out-of-rcglstration producing directions when said a timing means has completed its operation.

8. A pressing machine as in claim '1, and including manually operable means for moving 10 both of said actuators respectively in out-ot-engagement and out-of-registration producing directions independently of said timing means.

' 9. In a pressing machine, a fixed pressing member, a coacting pressing member movable 16 into and out of registration with said fixed member and into and out of pressing engagement therewith, powermeans for moving said movable member, power supply means therefor having a single control member movable in two directions, 20 manual means for moving said control member in into-registration and into-engagement producing direction, timing means having a power supply connection with said first-named power supply means whereby said timing means is supplied with power simultaneously with the supply to said power means, and an operative connection between said timing means and said control member for moving the latter in out-oI-engagement and out-of-registration producing direction when said timing means has completed its operation.

ANGUS F. HANNEY. 

